States with the Highest DUI Arrest and Alcohol Consumption Rates

In this article, we have compiled some interesting data, including the states that rank the highest and lowest for vehicle miles traveled, alcohol consumption per capita, and DUI arrest rates.

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

A report published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates the amount of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, and spirits) that is consumed by the average individual each year; the study uses data from 2010's beverage sales, tax receipt reports, and shipment information from beverage industry sources to rank states based on the estimated amount of alcohol consumption per capita.

States with Highest Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

The following is the average amount of ethanol (pure alcohol) that is consumed per person, based on population age 14 and older.

New Hampshire: 4.44 gallons

District of Columbia: 3.84 gallons

Nevada: 3.3 gallons

Delaware: 3.09 gallons

Alaska: 3.03 gallons

North Dakota: 2.93 gallons

Wisconsin: 2.76 gallons

Vermont: 2.74 gallons

Colorado: 2.71 gallons

Nebraska: 2.31 gallons

States with Lowest Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

The following is the average amount of ethanol (pure alcohol) that is consumed per person, based on population age 14 and older.

Miles Driven on the Highways

Each year, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics releases the State Transportation Statistics, which includes data on the number of highway vehicle miles driven using information that is submitted by the states and analyzed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

States with Highest Vehicle-Miles Traveled

The following is the estimated number of miles driven per person, ranking the 10 states with the highest vehicle-miles traveled per capita in 2010.

Wyoming: 16,948 miles

Mississippi: 13,414

Alabama: 13,408

Oklahoma: 12,698

New Mexico: 12,259

North Dakota: 12,248

Missouri: 11,819

Indiana: 11,672

Vermont: 11,579

Georgia: 11,503

States with Lowest Vehicle-Miles Traveled

The following is the estimated number of miles driven per person, ranking the 10 states with the lowest vehicle-miles traveled per capita in 2010.

DUI Arrest Rates

The DUI arrest rates listed in this section were compiled based on 2009's driving under the influence arrest data from the Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics from the University at Albany and 2010's total state population numbers (all ages) from the U.S. Census Bureau.

States with the Highest DUI Arrest Rate

The states with the highest arrest rates, based on number of arrests and population, are:

Wyoming: 1.17%

Idaho: 0.78%

Alaska: 0.75%

Nebraska: 0.71%

South Dakota: 0.70%

Wisconsin: 0.67%

Arizona: 0.61%

North Dakota: 0.58%

New Mexico: 0.56%

Nevada: 0.56%

States with the Lowest DUI Arrest Rate

The states with the lowest arrest rates, based on arrest rates and population, are:

It is interesting to note that the District of Columbia has the lowest vehicle miles traveled and DUI arrest rates, despite having one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption. Alaska, on the other hand, is low on the vehicles miles traveled list, but ranks high on the alcohol consumption per capita and DUI arrest lists. North Dakota ranks in the top 10 on all lists: vehicle miles traveled, alcohol consumption per capita, and DUI arrest rate.

If you have been charged with a DUI, consult a qualified lawyer as soon as possible.